Dog-Friendly Road Trip in the Midwest

Cambridge, Ohio Dog Road Trip

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post. However, I will always offer my readers an unbiased and honest account of my experiences. Your trust is very appreciated, and never taken for granted. ~Tonya, Dexter and Angel Nutter

Dexter’s 2019 epic dog road trip has officially begun! January and February were filled with local dog-friendly day trips, but Cambridge, Ohio was our first pet-friendly weekend getaway. Traveling with dogs is always more fun with friends, so I invited Dexter’s BFF, Levi, and his mom, Chris to join us.

Cambridge, Ohio is located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in the southeastern portion of Ohio in Guernsey County. With a population of approximately 13,000, this small town was going to be the perfect dog-friendly destination to explore.

Our first stop was lunch at McKenna’s Market in downtown Cambridge. This dog-friendly restaurant offered outside seating and, with the sun shining, we stayed warm and dry, even in March! This family-owned market is owned by the McKenna family, who have been in the deli and market businesses since the ’70s. The family restored the century-old historic building that soon became the place to be for foodie lovers. McKenna’s Market is known for their scrumptious homemade subs and salads, we knew we were in for an outstanding experience.

McKenna’s Market Dog-Friendly RestaurantMr. McKenna & Bev

The menu was extensive and offered a variety of food to meet anyone’s taste buds. Chris ordered the shrimp basket and I went with the Fiesta Chicken Salad. Hot coffees for us and the dogs, they were greeted with fresh water and dog treats.

Ohio Dog-Friendly Cafes

While we sipped our coffee, people walked up to us, chatted, and petted the dogs. They were a big hit, and everyone was so kind and social. McKenna’s front door had people buzzing in and out during our entire lunch; they do have a hopping business. When our food arrived, I soon learned why. The food was amazing!

Shrimp Basket

When I travel, I really try to order food that isn’t my normal fare, and I’m usually quite pleased. The Fiesta salad was the bomb! It was so fresh, colorful and full of flavor. My taste buds and belly were very happy. Chris’s shrimp and chips looked warm and inviting. She said they were cooked to perfection.

Fiesta Chicken Salad

After lunch, I checked out the inside of McKenna’s Market. It was full of bulk snacks, fruits, candies, gourmet cheese, meats, artisan and local foods, fresh-ground coffee beans, vintage soda pop, wines, and so much more. I ordered a couple of their famous subs to go for dinner along with a bag of freshly ground coffee.

Amazing Tomato Soup!

We thought it would be fun to drive around the town and look for fun and quirky sculptures, murals, and local landmarks. We weren’t disappointed. Cambridge was the home of former astronaut and US Senator John Glenn. Although we were not able to visit the John & Annie Glenn Museum with the dogs, we did find an Ohio historical marker about him.

Cambridge, Ohio Landmarks

Another local celebrity was William Boyd. William Boyd made quite a name for himself as the cowboy star Hopalong Cassidy, who hit the big screen in the1930s and 40s and television in the 1950s. Cambridge has a Hopalong Cassidy Trail, which is a collection of memorabilia on display at various locations throughout Historic Downtown Cambridge. It was fun finding a few of the displays.

Hopalong CassidyUnique murals in Cambridge, Ohio

Our tummies were craving something sweet, so we headed to Kennedy’s Bakery. Kennedy’s Bakery has been serving Cambridge since 1925. Members of the family have been baking for over 80 years. This scratch bakery sounded like the perfect spot to pick up some baked goods.

Kennedy’s Bakery

When I walked in, I was greeted by a warm smile and the sweet smell of fresh baked goods. There were so many delectable items to choose from! I was surrounded by fresh brownies, breads, cakes, cookies, cupcakes, donuts, pastries, candies, and so much more.

Warm & Welcoming

One of the owners, Patty, gave me a behind-the-scenes tour. I was shocked at how massive the bakery actually was. They had vintage ovens and equipment that they have been using since the start of their store. I really enjoyed all the love and dedication the family has for the bakery and their community. It was a pretty neat experience.

Famous Tea Cookies

Before I left, I ordered a rich chocolate muffin, a fresh donut, and some of their best sellers, tea cookies. As my teeth sank into the decadent muffin, it was evident that this muffin was made with love and fresh ingredients. The tea cookies were so cute, I almost didn’t want to eat them. But I’m glad I did; they were moist, with the right amount of sweetness.

Puppy Shaped Cookies

It was time for us to call it a day and head to our dog-friendly cabin at Salt Fork Lodge and Conference Center (click to read more about the cabin). After feeding the dogs, Chris and I were ready to dive into our subs from McKenna’s Market. I had ordered the Roscoe Village Chicken Salad and Chris ordered the McKenna’s Favorite. The Mckenna’s Favorite was brimming with capicola, salami, pepperoni, and 4 cheese Italian blend. My salad was just amazing. It had big chunks of chicken with a great sauce, not what you would think of when ordering a chicken salad sandwich. It was so unique and flavorful.

Dog-Friendly Salt Fork CabinsChicken SaladFresh Ingredients

After our full day of exploring Cambridge, Ohio, it was time to hit the hay and rest up for the adventure ahead. Saturday was going to be a full day of walking and delving into Ohio’s largest state park, Salt Fork. But first, sleep!

Salt Fork Cabins

Do you travel with your dog? Tell me in the comments.

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I am from Ohio, we made a stop in Cambridge once when we were heading on one of our few out of state trips. Kennedy’s Bakery is pretty great! We stopped in there when we were there. Your dogs are super cute by the way!

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I have been a professional dog trainer for over two decades and I've even been named one of the top ten dog trainers in the US, twice! I love to spread the word about positive ways of preventing and managing behavior issues with a holistic approach. Traveling to new destinations with Dexter is my favorite pastime. I look forward to you joining our happy community. x Tonya